Re-Learning Work–Life Balance

I have always considered work–life balance to be about making sure I had enough time to relax so I could handle the work I needed to do. Over the last five years or so, I’ve taken steps to ensure I’m working the amount I want to and the amount I need to, while also making sure I don’t push it too far. I know the value of giving myself time to rest and recover – it makes me more effective at my work and a better person to the people I love.

After becoming a father, I’m starting to see this differently. Now, my work–life balance feels like an ever-evolving thing. Previously, I thought of balance as something to be maintained on a weekly basis — making sure I had a couple of days that were mostly work-free within a seven-day period. Recently, though, I’ve begun to feel that work–life balance is something I need to evaluate every day. At any given moment, I’m deciding where I’m best served — whether that’s at home or in the studio. I’m constantly weighing whether I should be helping with the baby, doing an activity with her, tackling admin, doing household chores, working on one of the three businesses I’m involved in, or squeezing in a little downtime.

I’ve never experienced a smorgasbord of choices quite like the one I have right now.

This may sound like I’m lamenting this state of affairs, but that wouldn’t be accurate. What I’m recognising is that there’s less room for dilly-dallying, and that I should be more intentional about where I’m best able to serve myself at any given moment. I’m trying to be more aware of that — and more appreciative of it. I know I’m only able to make these choices because I have a degree of flexibility in my life, which I greatly value right now.

Today, I spent most of the day with Sophia — taking her to a baby class and then having lunch at a local pub — because Adina needed time to finish up a big project. I was really grateful to have that one-on-one time with Sophia, and to be able to give Adina the space she needed.

I’ll now need to squeeze some work into the weekend to make up for what was essentially a missed work day, but I got to spend today doing the thing I most wanted to do.

I’ll find the time where I need it.